Displayed is a rounded
Sword Chape for the Longer Spatha or shorter semi-spathashort sword. Basically the end attachment
clamping the wooden pieces of the scabbard together at the point of the
scabbard as well as providing a popular style to the military sword of the
time.

These chapes commonly were decorated with silver gold or possibly bronze inlay's and patterns.
This item has a clear pattern engraved in the corroded iron consisting of
a center double line edged feather or angled line patter. There also
appears to be a slightly angled pattern protruding out at right angled to
the center line. Also in the top corners are two semi-circular patterns.
It is unknown what kind of inlay this piece had, however judging by the
solid silver center rivet (the exit point can be see on the reverse), it
would likely have been inlaid with gold. However what is noticeable
are small areas, specifically on the reverse where green shows through.
This is possibly the tell tail sign of bronze/copper which has since
corroded away, with what little had remained. (see close up below).

What the piece also has is a diamond shaped concentric pattern on the
reverse, as is noticeble in the close up image above and the over photo to
the left. Some type of border also appears to be visible, much like
examples noted later on.

The difference in this chape compared to the
earlier pointed variety are really a function of style than any
technological development. It is believed that as the Roman army
changed and incorporated more cultures it also adapted different styles
and types of weapons into its ranks.

In the 3rd
Century the Gladius was phased out and a long wider Spatha was introduced
to to the Roman army. Along with this came a difference in how the sword
was worn on the belt (now attached through a belt over the shoulder called
a baldric). A variety of chapes were around during this period, the only
consistent thread was that the pointed triangular type was no longer around. Some
were rounder and larger than this example and others were rectangular.
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